ERIC ED403900: Library of Congress Subject Headings as Subject Terminology in a Virtual Library: The INFOMINE Example.

9 Pages·1996·0.16 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
IR 056 274
ED 403 900
Mitchell, Steve
AUTHOR
Library of Congress Subject Headings as Subject
TITLE
Terminology in a Virtual Library: The INFOMINE
Example.
PUB DATE
96
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Academic Libraries; *Authority Control (Information);
DESCRIPTORS
*Electronic Libraries; Higher Education; Indexing;
Information Technology; *Internet; Research Tools;
*Subject Index Terms
*Library of Congress Subject Headings; Links
IDENTIFIERS
(Indexing)
ABSTRACT
INFOMINE is an academic virtual library containing
close to 5,000 records describing and providing hypertext links to
academically useful Internet resources. Creating a virtual library
helps make new territories of the Internet available to others.
Librarians have traditionally identified printed-form scholarly
resources of value to students and researchers, and they should
continue to do so in the new information environment, utilizing new
technologies and resources. INFOMINE is among an important class of
tool that is helping define a useful scholarly information landscape
on the Internet. Separate virtual collections or INFOMINEs exist in
most major areas of university level research and educational
interests. Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) are used as
subject terms in INFOMINE for the following reasons: LCSH indexing is
very quick relative to other methods; LCSH is a standardized
descriptive language that provides a common thread or a set of
controlled access points across the disciplines, and that is familiar
to librarians in all disciplines; LCSH is useful for both general and
high-level subject description; and in the future, LCSH can be used
in conjunction with other controlled vocabularies. The majority of
the paper looks at the INFOMINE technique for applying LCSH subject
headings. (Author/SWC)
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Library of Congress Subject Headings
Virtual Library:
as Subject Terminology in a
The INFOMINE Example
Steve Mitchell
INFOMINE Co-coordinator
University of California, Riverside
Copyright 1996, Steve Mitchell. Used with permission.
Abstract:
INFOMINE (http://lib-www.ucr.edu) is an academic virtual library containing close to five
thousand "linked" records describing and providing access to academically useful Internet
resources ( <a href="#mitchell">Mitchell and Mooney < /a >). These records are organized via a
hypertext database and presented in HTML format. INFOMINE began in January of 1994 as a
project of the Library of the University of California, Riverside. It now includes participants from
most other UC campuses. We initiated INFOMINE because we believe that by creating a virtual
library we help make the new territories of the Internet available to others. By supplying links to
our own documents and those of others we further shape and develop our conceptions of what's
important and situate that in the web as new vistas to be discovered and entered by others. For
hundreds of years this is what we as librarians have done with print resources and the concept
Few groups are as qualified as we to continue, in a new
of the well-selected "collection".
information environment, the identification of scholarly resources of value to students and
researchers. INFOMINE is among an important class of tool that is helping to define a useful
scholarly information landscape in the Internet. Separate virtual collections or INFOMINEs exist
in most major areas of university level research and educational interests.
We currently use Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) as subject terms.
In
meeting the challenge of employing this major standard in library subject description, we use a
time-efficient means of selecting and applying LCSH terms which is based on the use of the
wealth of LCSH cataloging to be found in TEN, the current 10 year subset of Melvyl, the
University of California's online public access catalog (among other bibliographic databases). Our
method and technique allow us to use this important subject vocabulary without having to
rt)
catalog (or re-catalog) Internet resources thus saving much time.
"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS
-3
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
\,(7
Steve Mitchell
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."
EST COPY AVAILABLE, 2
Why We Use LCSH in INFOMINE Indexing:
A.) We have developed a method and technique that makes the use of LCSH reasonably
simple, straightforward and efficient for organizations where cost and personnel limitations are
commonplace. An INFOMINE record typically takes under fifteen minutes to create (fields utilized
include URL, title, subject, key word, and annotation) as compared with one to one and one-half
hours for MARC cataloged resources (<a href="#morris">Morris</a>).
B.) LCSH is a vocabulary that provides a common thread or a set of controlled access
points across the disciplines and, therefore, across all INFOMINEs.
C.) LCSH is useful for both general and high-level subject description. It provides an often
broadly focused, controlled vocabulary to supply useful subject and meta-subject terms (i.e.,
terms that often describe whole disciplines; think of them as subject category terms similar to
the data in the SC field in the Current Contents data base).
D.) LCSH is a standardized descriptive language familiar to librarians in all disciplines. As
a profession, we are very familiar with this vocabulary. This familiarity can be said to exist as
well for many academic library users; as flawed as their employment of LCSH in searching may
be.
E.) In the future, INFOMINE will be able to supplement LCSH as needed with other, more
specialized controlled vocabularies (e.g., MeSH headings) as well as with appropriate key words.
F.) Note that we can convert the information in our records into the MARC record
structure if at some point this makes better sense in terms of economics and improved user
access.
The INFOMINE Technique for Applying LCSH:
Ingredients: a.) The Melvyl System suite of bibliographic databases which employ LCSH,
especially TEN. These databases are rich and varied. The experience and wisdom that has gone
into applying LCSH in these bases is both immense and immensely useful. b.) The Windows
environment allows multi-tasking to occur in multiple windows and enables the easy and rapid
transfer of subject and other text from one window to another. c.) The Internet/web environment
allows multiple, integrated access to the various tools/resources/support documents we need,
all on one screen.
Result: We often are able to simply and quickly copy relevant subject headings to
INFOMINE from these databases. Importantly, for many INFOMINE records, the subject indexing
and title words present in the bibliographic database being searched have often amounted to
one-stop shopping for our subject and key word application work.
3
A.) Finding LCSH - The Whole LCSH Domain:
Basics: Cutting-and-pasting from Internet/web accessible resources in a multiple windows
environment is what makes our technique possible. Our common-sense approach simply applies
the cut-and-paste technique to LCSH focused bibliographic databases as we copy their subject
indexing over to INFOMINE. We search bibliographic databases which utilize LCSH, via a
telnet session, for both title words and subjects that reflect the content of the Internet site we are
describing/indexing and, once found, cut-and-paste the subject terms over to the subject field
in the open INFOMINE record. Significantly, we often use title words and some (minor) subject
terms we discover in doing this as additional key words as well.
Melvyl System Settings: Once in the database of choice (TEN is most commonly used;
see below) we set the timeout period to be long (typically, "set timeout 30") and the subject
display to just show titles and subjects ("set display ti,su"). Sometimes, it's useful to use "set
display ti,su,date"; date is added to shed light on the age of the indexing (relatedly,
you can "set date current"). Doing a "set loc all" command will return all records for all
campuses. Most often, depending on the results returned, "loc" and "date" are handled
interactively from the keyboard as the need arises.
Searching for LCSH via Title Words: Usually, searching by title word ("f tw xxxx" or "f xt
xxxx") will return a large enough set of diverse results to indicate the full scope of how a concept
was subject-described, in LCSH, by the catalogers. Usually, the INFOMINE contributor will scan
a dozen or two records and copy those LCSH terms which most closely describe the Internet
resource being looked at and which have repeated most frequently. Sometimes, the LCSH terms
which don't repeat, but which are still appropriate, ARE used in the INFOMINE subject field
though more typically these will find their way into the INFOMINE key word field.
Searching/Browsing for LCSH via Subjects: When the concept(s) being searched via a
title word approach is yielding too many records, especially if they are too diverse in subject
application, we switch modes to subject searching ("f su xxxx" or "f xs xxxx") and/or we browse
subjects ("bro su xxxx" or "bro xsu xxxx"; usually we employ "d bro counts" to show us the
subjects and number of titles to which any individual heading has been applied). This can give
us more focus.
Number of LCSH Terms Applied: Note that our method can be accomplished rapidly
enough so as to encourage the application of more rather than fewer subject headings (as
compared with most typical LCSH focused databases). This alone is an IMPORTANT boon for
INFOMINE users. Minimum LCSH applied in this fashion are 2-3. Overwhelmingly, though, most
INFOMINE records have many more than this (est. 4-8 headings or more in addition to several
keywords). There is no maximum limit. The INFOMINE contributor stops when the record has
been adequately described.
LCSH in Print: In our work there will still be rare times when a look at the print LCSH (and
subject trees) will be needed and very useful.
B.) Finding LCSH Meta-subjects - The Controlled LCSH Domain of "Disciplines - Subjects"
Meta-subject terms provide large handles for things. They serve to counteract for LCSH's
tendency to feel boundless in scope to users (and indexers). They provide a useful subject
"backdrop" against which to search more precise terms (e.g., searching for "icons" and the
meta-subject "agriculture").1-2 Terms are applied at the level of meta-subjects or subject
categories as you would find, again, in the subject category (SC) field of the Current Contents
database or in many web subject lists (which are often organized via broad headings).
Our meta-subject term lists are somewhat lengthier than the 90 subject categories found,
for all subjects, in Current Contents. A controlled domain of 50-200 broad LCSH terms exists
for each INFOMINE (e.g., the Life, Agricultural and Medical Sciences INFOMINE). These will be
found in our "Disciplines - Subjects" document. Since this group of controlled, broad LCSH terms
tends to be short enough to commit to memory for any one set of disciplines, they often can be
Usually, though, these terms are
applied without consulting the support document itself.
suggested in the course of the basic LCSH term searching and discovery process as described
in A.), above. Experienced INFOMINErs only occasionally need to consult the list that contains
these terms and this saves time.
Above and beyond creating a more controlled domain within the LCSH universe, these
terms are an attempt to ensure that this controlled domain of LCSH is one that is relevant to the
greater UC campus community. As such, all terms were taken from the indexes of several UC
campus catalogs. In many ways the campus catalog is the primary document by which the
greater UC campus community describes itself. Terms were specifically derived from names for
Academic Departments, Programs, Institutes and Colleges. Roughly, 80% of the terms exist as
is in LCSH. For the other 20%, we used the closest possible LCSH derivatives.
C.) Configuring Your Session or "The Integrating Environment: Windows on the Internet" --</b>
There are a number of ways to configure your session as you pursue the finding activities
mentioned in Sections A. and B. above. All of us have slightly different styles. These are often
dictated by the screen size of our monitors, machine RAM and the power of our operating
system. I.e., the bigger the screen and RAM and the more robust the operating system, the
greater the number of open windows and multi-tasks you can do sensibly. Small monitors and
weaker machines mean that you'll: have fewer windows open (and more of your tools/resources
as bookmarks or bottom screen icons); be doing more "back and forth"; and, be taking more
time to do it. Generally, though, with a 15" or greater monitor and a fast 486 or a pentium with
8 plus megabytes of RAM, we have done the following:
5
Windows layout: The following assumes overlap among the open windows. The individual
window needs to be as small as possible within the limits of being large enough so that all scroll
buttons are visible when the window is active and in the "forefront". The three primary windows
mentioned below will be open at the same time. The Netscape window in which the resource
is being reviewed is generally on the left and the INFOMINE Record Adder form is on the right.
The telnet session is also on the right, usually behind the Adder, though when in use it is
brought to the fore and takes the place of most of the Adder form. The telnet session is usually
called from the left Netscape session.
Primary Open Windows (generally open at the same time):
Resource being viewed/described (via a Netscape session)
The forms-based page in which the description is placed (via
INFOMINE Adder Page:
a Netscape session to INFOMINE)
Telnet Melvyl System Session I: Our means of accessing one of the databases
through
(via
access
mentioned
below
INFOMINE/Netscape)
Telnet Melvyl System II:
Advanced INFOMINErs can efficiently employ a
Optional
second window with which to use a second
Melvyl System accessible base (via access
through I NFOM I NE/Netscape)
Support Documents Available From the Adder Page (or can be bookmarked):
The "Disciplines - Subjects" or LCSH Selected Domain of Meta-subjects List
(accessible from the INFOMINE Adder Page; can be bookmarked)
"Shared Subjects/Key Words" (accessible form the Adder Page) (=our protocols/
conventions concerning resource/site attributes; e.g, a world wide web document
we use "web")
"Key Word Type Checklist" (to help beginning INFOMINE participants)
"Help: INFOMINE for Indexers" (a lengthy document detailing indexing choices and styles;
includes our rules for handling LCSH)
Specific Windows Microcomputer Environments: a.) MS Windows (Windows 3.x) is
commonly used by contributors and generally is quite sufficient. Sometimes the cutting and
pasting of lists (e.g., if several successive LCSH in a TEN record were relevant) requires that
each item in the list be transferred individually. This has not been a major problem. b.) Windows
NT not Yet tried c.) MACs - fine. d.) Linux: This is probably the best and quickest bet if you are
an experienced micro user. Powerful and efficient. To move a single LCSH from TEN to the
Adder takes up to six clicks in Windows 3.x and only two in Linux.
6
D.) The LCSH Focused Databases Used:
TEN: As mentioned, TEN has been used most frequently. It contains, roughly, the current
TEN years of UC cataloging wisdom and LCSH terms (averaging over 1.6 million titles in each
of the last 3 years). That is,
it represents the current ten year slice of our electronic union
catalog, Melvyl.
Its big enough to return significant result sets for most searches and current
enough to provide reasonably up-to-date indexing. It is also readily accessible and response time
is good.
MAGS and other Melvyl System/IAC Bibliographic Databases: TEN can lag in dealing with
new LCSH terms for new concepts and, thus, can be behind in dealing with terminology for fast
moving disciplines (e.g., high energy physics or the Internet). MAGS is better in this regard
though supposed LC terms used may or may not really be LC...still this and COMP and some
of the other IAC databases accessible through the Melvyl System will suggest alternative subject
and key word terms. Seldom needed.
RLIN/Eureka BIB Database and OCLC/FirstSearch World Cat: We're currently exploring
these to see if they are of use in augmenting our work done in TEN. Limited ports for connecting
is a problem, especially for World Cat.
References:
Mitchell, S. and Mooney, M. 1996 (in press). "INFOMINE A Model Web-Based Academic
Virtual Library." Information Technology and Libraries.
Morris, D. E. 1992. "Staff Time and Costs for Cataloging." Library Resources and
Technical Services 36 (1):79-95.
For her many insightful comments and suggestions, the author would like to thank Heidi
Hutchinson (Cataloging Librarian, Rivera Library, UC Riverside). Discussions with Lynne
Reasoner (Government Documents Librarian, Rivera Library, UC Riverside) also contributed
greatly to this paper. All opinions expressed remain those of the author.
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